Question about chest heaviness & coughing

[pinky3]

I was diagnosed with asthma last November after a long bout with bronchitis. It is very likely I have had mild asthma since childhood due to symptoms and just was not diagnosed.

After various trials, I ended up on Pulmicort since April. It was working fine until a couple days ago (I switched to the flexhaler from the turbohaler a month ago which may have made a difference, who knows). I woke up with chest heaviness that I had not felt since April. I went to the asthma doctor yesterday, because I don't mess with asthma! My Pft's were down, and she heard me wheezing so changed my meds to the new combo Symbicort (anyone take this?).

Well, this morning, I am coughing more and it's a wet cough. My chest is still heavy, but my breathing is okay. My question is....does this mean I have a virus/cold that affected my lungs? Or is this all an asthma attack or asthma symptoms? Am I sick with something or just dealing with asthma alone?

Thanks for any insight!

[Titchou]

Have you tried your rescue inhaler? Did it help? You don't say what part of the country you are in but that could have a bearing on it. Here in Alabama I've had to use my albuterol some this season because we are in a severe drought situation (only area of the country!) and we had two weeks of over 100 degree weather. I upped my Flovent to try and compensate but that doesn't always take care of it.

[geraldatwork]

Symbicort is a combo medicine that contains both a corticosteroid (budesonide) and a broncodilator (formoterol). I guess it is similar to Advair in that respect. However budesonide is the same medicine (anti inflamitory corticosteroid) found in Pulmicort which you said stopped working for you. Advair contains fluticasone as its anti inflamatory and if the Symbicort doesn't work for you might be a better choice as a combo drug.

However you didn't say if you started the Symbicort yet. In any case I would assume it would take at least a few days, probably longer to work properly.

[pinky3]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Have you tried your rescue inhaler? Did it help? You don't say what part of the country you are in but that could have a bearing on it. Here in Alabama I've had to use my albuterol some this season because we are in a severe drought situation (only area of the country!) and we had two weeks of over 100 degree weather. I upped my Flovent to try and compensate but that doesn't always take care of it.

Well, I haven't had problems breathing. I just had the heaviness and a cough starting. I did not think the rescue inhaler was for that. I thought it was just for breathing, and if one needed to use it then the daily meds were not working well. Is that not correct?

[pinky3]

Originally Posted by geraldatwork

Symbicort is a combo medicine that contains both a corticosteroid (budesonide) and a broncodilator (formoterol). I guess it is similar to Advair in that respect. However budesonide is the same medicine (anti inflamitory corticosteroid) found in Pulmicort which you said stopped working for you. Advair contains fluticasone as its anti inflamatory and if the Symbicort doesn't work for you might be a better choice as a combo drug.

However you didn't say if you started the Symbicort yet. In any case I would assume it would take at least a few days, probably longer to work properly.

Well, the budesonide was working for awhile. The doctor thought that adding the formoterol would increase its effectiveness. This is day 3, and I am feeling an improvement already.

I was on Advair for several months until I started getting leg achiness and was eating nonstop. I am not sure it was the Advair, but I am thinking it was.

Thank you for your input. I really appreciated it!